Surprises, rap’s new class take over Summer Jam XX

Mariah Carey performs at the Hot 97 Summer Jam XX on Sunday, June 2, 2013 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York City radio station Hot 97 celebrated its 20th annual Summer Jam concert with young rappers who are dominating the charts, a respected veteran hip-hop group and a slew of surprises.

Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Lil Kim were among the guest stars of Sunday’s show at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky and French Montana performed sets that electrified the excited crowd. Wu-Tang Clan hit the stage and were solid, though the energy of the audience — filled with a good number of twentysomethings — dwindled throughout the set.

Here’s a breakdown of the highlights from Summer XX, which also featured Chris Brown, Miguel, Wale, Fabolous and Joe Budden.

SURPRISE: IT’S WEEZY F. BABY AND RICKY ROZAY

No offense to French Montana, but Summer Jam XX would have been disappointing if the rapper closed the five-hour concert alone. Thankfully, he brought out Rick Ross — and then to the largest roar the audience gave Sunday night — there came Lil Wayne. They performed the addictive hit, “Pop That,” as the crowd sang along and jumped up and down.

Bringing out a special guest (or guests) was the night’s theme: Minaj earned cheers when she helped 2 Chainz on “I Luv Dem Strippers” and “Beez In the Trap,” Fabolous brought out fellow Brooklynite Lil Kim and R&B singer Miguel had J. Cole and Mariah Carey help him with his set.

A$AP Rocky, 24, said he’s a big fan of 90’s hip-hop, namedropping acts like Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A., UGK and Three 6 Mafia as favorites. But he wasn’t all talk: Quickly after he spoke about his rap heroes, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony joined him onstage.